An App for Better Lung Cancer Care

An App for Better Lung Cancer Care | Pintas & Mullins Law Firm

Posted By Pintas & Mullins Law Firm

Lung cancer patients may be able to improve survival and quality of life with a new app called Moovcare. This app was just revealed here in Chicago, at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. Our team of lung cancer lawyers take a deeper look into this revolutionary new app and its possible impact on patients’ lives.

The first study analyzing Moovcare’s effectiveness was so successful it ended early. To use the app, patients simply type their symptoms into the app once a week. An algorithm looks at the symptoms and sends an alert to doctors if something seems wrong. Currently, patients have to wait until scheduled visits – which are often months apart – to tell doctors about changes in their health.

This gives doctors real-time information to spot problems immediately and change treatments if needed. Cancer doesn’t wait until scheduled doctors’ visits to change course or grow. The app lets patients tell their doctors what’s going on in real-time. Patients doing poorly are put in immediate and automatic contact with their doctor.

How Does the App Work?

Moovcare is extremely easy to use, even for older patients. Using either their smart phone or computer, patients simply enter their health status once a week. The app asks for information on symptoms like coughing, appetite, energy levels, and shortness of breath. The app then analyzes this information. If it finds anything alarming, it automatically sends an alert to the patients’ doctors. The healthcare team then schedules a call or visit.

In theory, the app would lead to more immediate and appropriate medical care, better symptom control, and improved quality of life. It would also save money, time and resources by delivering care when it’s needed rather than just when it’s scheduled.

The Proof

To study this theory, researchers enrolled over 120 lung cancer patients, 60 of whom used the Moovcare app during their care. The remaining patients received standard care without the app’s assistance. All patients had “high risk” lung cancer but did not have disease progression or major debilitating symptoms. 90% of patients had stage III or IV lung cancer, with a median age of 65.

Both sets of patients scheduled appointments and tests on a standard schedule, every three to six months depending on the patient.

The Moovcare patients also enjoyed fewer imaging tests, because they were only done as-needed, rather than on a set schedule. On average, Moovcare patients saw a 50% reduction in imaging.

This app would help lung cancer patients receive the care they need and deserve; too often, patients delay reporting symptoms because they don’t want to bother their doctors or don’t think their suffering is important. We have apps to find love, walk our dogs, and book flights. It’s time technology improves our access to medical care and, in turn, lengthens our lives.

Lung Cancer Help

Our lung cancer lawyers know all too well that this particular form of cancer carries a heavy burden. There’s a bias against lung cancer patients, even if they never smoked. This stigma can cause patients to delay or even refuse treatment until it’s too late. Think this isn’t true? The Lung Cancer Project found that nearly 25% of people with stage IV lung cancer did not receive anticancer therapy in 2012, while only about 13% of stage IV breast cancer patients failed to get treatment.

The group also found that 67% of people associate lung cancer with shame, and 86% associate it with smoking. Lung cancer is actually increasing among non-smokers. Cigarettes are just one contributor, and even former smokers can significantly increase their risk of lung cancer if they were ever exposed to asbestos on-the-job.

We want to help. We want to discuss your diagnosis, what it means to you and your family, and your legal options. We want to give you a road-map for how to deal with this illness, what the future may hold, and how to minimize hardships. We want to answer your questions and help you seek justice.

We’ve been fighting on behalf of lung cancer patients and their families for 30 years, winning millions for our clients. Call us for a free consultation. We accept clients nationwide and can travel to you to answer your questions, alleviate some suffering, and provide hope for the future.

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